Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Andy Fraser Band
Company: CBS
Catalog: S
80731
Year: 1975
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: UK pressing; foil cover
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5565
Price: $30.00
Even though he'd established an extensive recording catalog as a member of John Mayall Bluesbreakers (briefly), Free and Shark (also briefly), singer/bassist Andy Fraser didn't step out into a solo career until 1975.
With support from Sharks keyboardist Nick Judd and drummer Kim Turner (who went on to manage Fraser), he formed the cleverly name Andy Fraser Band and was quickly signed by CBS Records.
Self-produced, 1975's "Andy Fraser Band" came as a major surprise to me. A big free fan, I'd always appreciated Fraser's songwriting and innovative bass work. I'd also liked his only recorded vocal performance with the band - the country flavored 'Bodie' from the LP "Highway" (don't think there are any others, but I may be wrong). Like most folks I simply didn't realize what a great voice the man had. Maybe a result of hanging out with Paul Rodgers all those years, Fraser had the same type of growling, blues-based voice. His voice may have been a tad lighter than Rodgers, but to be honest I'd be hard pressed to tell the two apart. Showcasing ten Fraser penned songs, perhaps it shouldn't have been a major surprise, but mid-tempo rockers like 'Changed Man', 'I Wanna Be There' and 'Bring It On Home' were very much in the Free/Bad Company mode. Showcasing stark, slightly under produced AOR arrangements at times the resemblance with Bad Company was almost uncanny. Fraser even nailed some of Rodgers vocal mannerisms - check out 'Ain't Gonna Worry' or 'Double Heart Trouble' if you doubt the statement. The other highlight was Fraser's bass playing. He was always impressive in Free, but how many albums can you think of where bass serves as the lead instrument? Even more impressive, Fraser and company's performances were so good you didn't even notice the absence of a lead guitar. Of course some of the credit went to Judd for handled some of the bass lines on keyboards allowing Fraser to focus on chords and lead patterns, CBS also tapped the album for a UK single:
- 1975's 'Don't Hide Your Love Away' b/w 'Ain't Gonna Worry' (CBS catalog number S CBS 3159)
Fraser's album attracted some pretty good reviews from the critics, but at a time when Rodgers and company were tearing up the sales charts, the album failed to attract an audience. Shame since it is a keeper.
"Andy
Fraser Band" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Don't Hide Your Love Away (Andy Fraser) - 3:22
2.) Changed Man (Andy Fraser) - 4:03
3.) Ain't Gonna Worry (Andy Fraser) - 3:48
4.) I Wanna Be There (Andy Fraser) - 3:10
5.) Bring It On Home (Andy Fraser) - 2:50
(side
2)
1.) Double Heart Trouble (Andy Fraser) - 4:02
2.) Keep On Loving You (Andy Fraser) - 6:06
3.) Love Is All Around (Andy Fraser) - 5:20
4.) Baby Forever (Andy Fraser) - 4:50
Fraser has an elaborate website though little information on The Andy Fraser Band at:
